Customer Reviews

Captain America by Steve Englehart, Vol. 2: Nomad (Avengers)

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The conclusion of the trade paperback CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE FALCON: SECRET EMPIRE featured Steve Rogers convincing himself that the disillusioned America of the mid-1970s had no need for a hero that embodied the spirit of the 1940s; therefore, Captain America should be no more. In this follow-up volume, CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE FALCON: NOMAD, he makes good on his promise, retiring his red, white, and blue togs. Steve turns away from his former partner, the Falcon, and begins to settle into a normal life, focusing his time on work and his girlfriend, Sharon Carter of SHIELD. Inevitably, he comes to realize that his desire to fight for justice is still there. Donning a new black and yellow costume, he returns as Nomad, the man without a country, but the idea of Captain America can't die. A few random individuals decide that if the real Cap is gone, they'll fill the role. Unfortunately, the results are disastrous, and as Steve begins to realize more about himself and the role destiny chose for him long ago, he concludes that the one true Captain America must live again.

This is an exceptional story from writers Steve Englehart and John Warner, providing an interesting study of Captain America and what makes him tick. For anyone who has ever questioned the relevance of Cap in an increasingly jaded, modern America, you have no further to look than this book. You can feel the turmoil of a legend trying to find his place in the changing times, as well as the public's loss of their hero. Capping off this collection is the revelation of the Falcon's origin - one that shakes Steve Rogers to the very core.

Sal Buscema, Frank Robbins, and Herb Trimpe provide adequate artwork for the story - nothing special, really. Their styles don't blend very well, so jumping from one to the other is a bit annoying. I respect each of these guys as artists, but their work in CA&F: NOMAD doesn't embody the power and emotion of the writing. In fact, Gil Kane's covers for the individual issues are so beautiful, it makes me wish he would have illustrated the whole thing instead.

This trade is somewhat-pricey, but very enjoyable. Collecting Captain America #177 - 186, it captures the spirit of Captain America perfectly and pays tribute to his creators, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Do yourself a favor and pick it up!

In 1974, Steve Englehart tackled the disillusionment of Watergate and Vietnam head on in this classic comic book story. Steve Rogers witnesses corruption in the White House that disilllusions him to the point that he no longer wants to be assiciated with a national interest, and he reinvents himself as the Nomad, and independent entity. Rogers discovers that he can believe in the ideal that America is supposed to stand for, and still disagree with the current government administration. It is a theme that once again has particular relevance.